Speirs + Major has completed a lighting strategy designed to reinvigorate Birmingham’s city centre retail area.

The core retail area of Birmingham has very little evening activity beyond the (wildly successful) Bullring; few shops are open after 5.30pm, and the streets have become thoroughfares to hurry along, rather than places to explore, shop, eat, drink and socialise in the evening.

Speirs + Major were invited by MAKE architects to join them in designing proposals for an urban strategy that would make the core of Birmingham’s retail area work better. And, with people now working and shopping later than ever before, it was vital that there was a vision and a strategy for the city after dark as well.

MAKE and Speirs + Major have delivered a vision, and a detailed strategic paper that will help public realm managers, building owners and retailers plan for a more vibrant shopping area.